Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Help Making a Carbon Fiber "Tube"

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic19314.aspx

By Raijin - 9/24/2015 9:48:02 PM

Let me just start by saying that I'm new here and the only experience with composites I've had is some simple fiberglass lay up by hand. 

I want to make a rectangular carbon fiber tube. I've done some preliminary research here but failed to find a thread about this specific type of project. I was, however, able to determine that I probably want to use the vacuum-bagging method.

Here's a random photo I found on Google of the shape I'm going for:

http://www.rockwestcomposites.com/system/details_images/148/original/img_7547_725x191_edit.jpg?1422306359



I'm guessing the easiest way to do this would be to saw off a length of gutter (or something similar in shape) and try to vacuum bag the CF around it using an actual bag (as opposed to the usual method of taping a 'bag' sheet over the piece).

A few questions:
  • How could I get a seamless piece like in the photo above? If I use carbon fiber sheets, there's bound to be a seam line running along the piece somewhere?
  • Would you guys recommend using the carbon fiber that comes in tubular sleeves?
  • How would you pros go about making something like this?
Thanks!
By Dravis - 9/28/2015 2:32:37 PM

I have sometimes filled the aluminium tube/mandrel with hot water for speeding up the cure of the CF .. Then used very cold water to shrink the mandrel just prior to using compressed air..

When using thick walled Aluminium tubing the heat expansion is quite strong, with stainless steel there is very little expansion or contraction by cooling.